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These homemade hash browns are golden brown and crispy on the outside yet fluffy in the center. Made with simple ingredients, I love how freezer-friendly they are!
Craving more savory breakfast recipes? Try my air fryer turkey bacon, savory pancakes, egg white omelette, and Starbucks spinach feta wrap next.
Growing up, I was obsessed with McDonald’s hash browns. I could never figure out how they got so crispy, that is, until I figured out how to make them from scratch.
With the same crunchy exterior and light, fluffy center, the only difference between my hash browns and fast food hash browns is the shortlist of good-for-you ingredients.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Healthier than fast food. They’re naturally gluten-free and wheat-free.
- AND healthier than store-bought hashbrowns. The ingredient list is short and sweet, and there’s no excess sodium or copious amounts of oil.
- Freezer-friendly. Un-cooked hashbrowns can be frozen for up to three months, so I usually make a double batch and keep the extras on hand whenever the cravings hit.
- Versatile. Serve them with over easy eggs, in a sausage McMuffin, or if you’re like me, eat them plain with ketchup.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“These were the best hash browns I’ve ever had. Way better than the McDonald’s ones, in my opinion. Crispy on the outside, soft and almost mashed-like consistency on the inside. Making this again (and doubling the recipe – they didn’t last very long in my house)” – Laine
Ingredients needed
- Potatoes. You’ll want to use low-moisture russet potatoes over waxy potatoes like Yukon golds. The latter has more water and won’t make for crispy hashbrowns.
- Potato flour. Also known as potato powder, this powder helps bind all ingredients together.
- Rice flour. Another ingredient that helps these hold their shape.
- Cornstarch. Enhances the crispiness.
- Onion powder. To flavor.
- Butter. To pre-cook the shredded potatoes.
- Oil. To fry them. Any cooking oil will work. I recommend using oil a high smoke point, like peanut or safflower oil.
- Salt. To taste.
How to make hash browns
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Soak the potatoes. Grate potatoes using a cheese grater, then transfer them to a bowl of cold water and let them sit for 20 minutes. Drain the water and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
Step 2- Cook the potatoes. Add butter to a skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded potatoes and cook for 15 minutes.
Step 3- Combine ingredients. Transfer the potatoes to a bowl to cool. Once cool, add the remaining ingredients until a thick dough remains. If the dough is too thick, add a splash of more water.
Step 4- Shape. Using your hands, shape the mixture into rectangular hash browns. Transfer them to a lined plate and refrigerate for at least two hours.
Step 5- Fry. Add an inch of oil to a deep pan over medium high heat. Once hot, add the chilled hash browns and cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden.
Step 6- Drain and serve. Let the hash browns cool on a wire rack to remove excess oil and dry crumbs before serving.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Don’t skip the soaking. I know you may be tempted to skip this step but trust me, soaking the potatoes is essential to remove the excess starch and guarantee crispy hash browns.
- Use a cheesecloth to squeeze out the excess water from the potatoes.
- Add some mix-ins. Fold in some shredded cheddar cheese, chives, or cooked bacon.
- Use more spices. Garlic powder, black pepper, and paprika are some classic spices, but don’t be afraid to experiment!
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat. If you want to make leftovers crispy again, reheat them in a skillet over medium heat. Add the hash browns to a heated pan along with a drizzle of oil and cook until heated through.
To freeze. Freeze uncooked hash browns for up to 3 months.
Frequently asked questions
Flour and starch are commonly used to help hash browns stick together. You can add an egg if you like, but the flour mix is sufficient.
You should soak the shredded potatoes in water for a minimum of 15 minutes. If you have time, you can leave the potatoes in cold water overnight to get rid of as much starch as possible.
More ways to cook potatoes
Hash Browns (McDonald’s Style)
Video
Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon potato starch
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons rice flour
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Using a box grater, grate the potatoes then transfer them to a bowl of ice water and let it sit for 20 minutes.
- Drain the water and squeeze out as much moisture from the potatoes as possible.
- Add butter to a non-stick pan and place over medium heat. Add the shredded potatoes and cook for 15 minutes.
- Transfer the potatoes into a bowl and let it cool slightly. Once cool, add the remaining ingredients until a thick dough remains. If the dough is too thick, add a splash more water.
- Using your hands, shape the mixture into rectangular hash browns. Transfer them to a lined plate and refrigerate for at least two hours.
- Add an inch of oil to a non-stick pan or pot. Once hot, add the chilled hash browns and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden.
- Place the cooked hash browns on a wire rack until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published February 2023, updated and republished June 2024
For this recipe it must be rice flour or can it be other?
Can I air fry them instead of frying in oil? Also i don’t have potato starch so can I just use corn starch and rice flour
Thanks Arman for this recipe. I’d like to make this for a group of 40-50 people as a side dish. I was thinking of making completely (frying) and storing in refrigerator 1 day ahead and heat up in a electric roaster the day of serving.
Do you think they would still be good or would they be soggy just reheated in a roaster?
Hi Craig! I don’t think they’d be soggy but they won’t be as crispy. I reckon do that, then broil it the next day for 4-5 minutes (flip once).
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 these were amazing!!!! I didn’t have any rice flour or potato starch so I just used a bit more corn starch and apf. Thank you for this recipe
😀 Thanks, Arlene!
Has anyone tried to cook then freeze after cooling? It would be quicker for us to reheat in air fryer on busy mornings that way! Thanks 😊
Any recommendation on type of potatoes ?
Hi guys! This recipe is great but for some reason my patties are super greasy. I have a thermometer and I heat the oil to 350 degrees. Not sure why they are so greasy.
Hello Yvonne- are you cooking too many at once?
If I freeze the uncooked ones should I thaw before cooking?
Nope! You can cook them from frozen!
Very good. I added more seasonings. Onion powder, rotisserie seasoning.
OMG your recipes are so good we were making a small McDonalds shop in the house and this recipe was perfect we also made the best homemade crunch bars they were awesome too.
These were the best hash browns I’ve ever had. Way better than the McDonald’s ones, in my opinion. Crispy on the outside, soft and almost mashed-like consistency on the inside. Definitely making this again (and doubling the recipe – they didn’t last very long in my house)
I love hash brown from McDonald and I do love cooking too this is a great recipe!!!
These are so tasty! As a frequent consumer of McDonald’s hashbrown, I can safely say these are MUCH better than McDonald’s. The seasoning is very good and texture so crispy. Will definitely make again!
😀 Thanks, Billy!
How can you share this recipe if you don’t put FB, TWITTER, and PINEREST????? answer me!!!!!!
My, my, how rude, Marie. Smh. My guess is to put it in your memos and proceed from there, or screen shot it. Either way, enjoy the recipe, thank Arman for it, and then apologize! Just my thoughts on the matter….
Can we do it in air fry? Also i don’t have potato starch can I just use corn starch and rice flour
Actually I scrolled back through and I think I saw 5 places with Pinterest pin link and then Facebook and twitter each near the bottom of the article. You must have been distracted by the wonderful recipe and missed every one!
This recipe looks amazing and I hope to try it soon😁😋thanks for creating and sharing it😍
I do not have rice and potato flour. I only have corn starch. What can I use in place of the rice and potato flour?
You’d need both of those for this recipe.